Indian billionaire and Infosys Chairman Nandan Nilekani has declared that India is on track to become one of the world’s largest users and developers of artificial intelligence (AI), leveraging its rapid digital transformation and inclusive technological infrastructure. Speaking at the Munich Cyber Security Conference on Friday, Nilekani highlighted India’s unique position to harness AI at scale, thanks to its widespread adoption of digital tools like the Aadhaar digital ID system and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
“Every Indian has a digital ID that can be authenticated online, and a lot of thought went into how to have an inclusive approach,” Nilekani said. He pointed to UPI, India’s real-time payment system launched in 2016, as a prime example of the country’s technological prowess. With 17 billion transactions monthly and 400 million users, UPI has revolutionized digital payments, even enabling street vendors to accept digital payments and access credit.
Nilekani emphasized that India’s ability to deploy technology across its vast population gives it a competitive edge in AI development. The Indian government has already signaled its intent to invest heavily in building its own large language models to rival global tech giants. Earlier this month, India’s IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that several startups are working on foundational AI models, which could be ready within the year.
As India continues to embrace AI and digital innovation, Nilekani’s remarks underscore the country’s potential to emerge as a global leader in technology, while navigating complex international trade dynamics
AI News Monitor 
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